LB 322 increases penalties for assaulting specific professionals while they are working. It makes assault on pharmacists, healthcare workers (including hospital/clinic staff), and emergency responders a higher felony classification when committed during their duties at pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics. The bill defines "pharmacist" as a state-licensed pharmacy practitioner and "health care professional" to include all employees at healthcare facilities. This amendment enhances existing assault penalties for these targeted groups without creating new prohibitions. The bill is currently postponed indefinitely in Nebraska's legislative process.
LB 715 requires most health insurance plans in Nebraska to cover pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication - used to prevent HIV infection - when prescribed by a doctor. This applies to individual/group health insurance policies, hospital/surgical plans, and self-funded employee benefit plans (unless federal law blocks it), but excludes limited-benefit policies like those covering only one disease. The bill does not eliminate patient cost-sharing like deductibles or copays, meaning insured individuals may still pay out-of-pocket for PrEP. It directly affects people who need HIV prevention medication but face coverage barriers under current insurance rules.
LB 410 requires most health insurance policies in Nebraska to cover medically necessary prosthetics (like artificial limbs) and orthotics (custom devices for body parts, such as braces) as prescribed by a doctor. It applies to individual/group health plans, hospital/surgical policies, and self-funded employer plans (where federal law doesn’t block it), matching the coverage level provided under Medicare for these items. The bill prohibits annual or lifetime dollar limits specifically for prosthetics/orthotics (though standard deductibles may still apply) and ensures access to care from non-contracted specialists. This directly affects Nebraskans with insurance who need these medical devices, ensuring coverage aligns with Medicare standards without additional financial barriers for these specific services.
LB 318 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to file a federal Medicaid state plan amendment to extend existing medical assistance coverage to incarcerated youth. The bill mandates this amendment to ensure youth in state custody receive the same Medicaid benefits - such as hospital care, mental health services, and prescription drugs - as other eligible residents under the Medical Assistance Act. This policy change directly affects youth held in Nebraska's correctional facilities, making their healthcare coverage consistent with state Medicaid rules. The amendment must be submitted to federal authorities for approval, aligning Nebraska's program with federal Medicaid requirements for this population.
LB 67 requires hospitals in Nebraska to provide sexual assault survivors with clear, accurate information about emergency contraception in their preferred language, including offering a full course unless declined. It mandates hospital staff training on providing objective information and ensures survivors can access emergency contraception as part of standard care following an assault. The bill also establishes a confidential complaint process with the Department of Health and Human Services for hospitals failing to comply, while protecting individuals who report violations from liability.
LB 437 would repeal Nebraska's Health Care Certificate of Need (CON) Act, removing a requirement that hospitals and healthcare facilities must obtain state approval before expanding services, building new facilities, or making major capital investments. This change directly affects hospitals, healthcare providers, and potentially patients by eliminating a state review process for facility expansions and capital projects. The bill repeals all provisions of the CON Act (sections 71-5801 through 71-5870) and modifies related sections in the Nonprofit Hospital Sale Act to remove overlapping approval requirements. It does not create new regulations but eliminates existing state oversight for healthcare facility expansions. The bill aims to reduce regulatory barriers for healthcare providers in Nebraska.
LB 110 requires health care providers to obtain written consent before performing a pelvic exam on a patient who is unconscious or under anesthesia in a hospital or clinic, unless it's an emergency, authorized by a decision-maker, or court-ordered. It directly affects patients unable to consent and health care providers who must follow these rules. The bill mandates written notification to patients before discharge if such an exam was performed, and violations could lead to disciplinary action under Nebraska's credentialing laws. This legislation aims to protect patient autonomy during medical procedures requiring unconsciousness.
LB 26 would expand legal protections against assault to include all employees at hospitals and health clinics, not just licensed medical staff like doctors or nurses. It redefines "health care professional" in Nebraska's assault statutes to explicitly cover non-clinical workers such as receptionists, administrative staff, and support personnel. This change ensures that anyone working in these facilities - regardless of their specific role - would be protected under existing laws for assault against healthcare workers. The bill directly affects thousands of frontline healthcare employees who previously may not have been explicitly included in these legal safeguards.
LB 55 allocates $1.5 million from the Hospital Quality Assurance and Access Assessment Fund for FY2025-26 to maintain Medicaid reimbursement rates for mental health providers who serve patients eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare (dual-eligible). It specifically ensures these providers - those not practicing in hospitals - are paid at current Medicaid rates for behavioral health services (Program 348) when Medicare rates are lower. The bill directly affects mental health providers serving dual-eligible Medicaid/Medicare patients by preventing reduced payments. Note: This bill was amended into LB261 on June 6, 2025, and is no longer active.
